Composition for tanning hides



hides.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. I

JAMESJF. GBANFORD, OF OAK HILL, ALABAMA.

c'oMeosiTioN FOR TANNING H-IDES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 271,804, dated February 6, 1883. i

7 Application filed November 23,1882. (No specimens.) 7

To all whom it may concern Be it known that L'JAMES FRANKLIN CRAN- FORD, of Oak Hill, in the county of Et'owah and State of Alabama, have invented a new and useful Composition of Matter to be Used for Tannin g Hidesin theManufacture of Leather, of which the following is a specification. My composition consists of the followingingredients, combined in the proportions stated, viz: tanners ooze, sixteen gallons; alum,t'wo pounds; common salt, one pound; saltpeter, one-half ounce; lye-soap, four ounces. The ooze,which is made preferably of the inside bark of mountain oak or white oak, is to be boiled to increase its strength. The tannin of the ooze may be supplied from-other wellknown sources besides oak-bark.

In using the above composition the hides should first be treated in the usual manner for removing all particles of flesh, and then subjected to a bath of thirty gallons of water to onepeck of ashes and one peck of lime to remove the hair. Then, alter the lime is washed outof them, they are to be. worked with the slicker in the usual manner. They are then ready to be tanned. The hides are now placed in theabove composition, where, they are allowed to remain until colored through and through, which ordinarily requires from five to twenty days, according to the thickness of the ln small skins-such as sheep-skinsonly from four to twelve hours are required. The strength of the composition is to be kept uniform, or'nearly so, by adding thereto fresh supplies of the ingredients in the proportions I named. Afterthehides arethoroughly tanned they are to be placed in clear water and allowed to remain two or three days, and then worked again with steel and stone slickers in the usual manner. They are afterward partially dried and oiled, then slightly shaved, dubbed, and broken with a hand-board, and finally worked off on the flesh side with a slicker.

By the use of the above composition I am able to produce a good quality of leather in a much shorter time than has ever before been done, so far as I am aware.

I am aware that the several ingredients of my invention have beeuvariously com pounded with other elements to form compositions for the treatment of hides, and I therefore do not claim the said ingredients, except as forming the above-named composition;

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The herein described composition of matter to be used in tanning hides, consisting of tanners ooze, alum, common salt, saltpeter, and lye soap, substantially in the proportions specified.

' his JAMES FRANKLIN X CRANFORI).

mark.

Witnesses:

A. L. WOODLIFF, JAMES AIKEN.

stone slicker and on the grain with a glass 

